I do want to emphasize that I continue to have the utmost respect for Guillermo del Toro, and I respect his decision. If I am particularly dissappointed by it, it is because I have been so impressed by the comments that he has made here and elsewhere which show me that he does have a strong understanding of what makes The Hobbit in particular so beloved. That is why losing him from this project is so hard to take.

In any event, I wish him only the very best in all of his future endeavors, regardless of what we do or don't learn about this sad chapter. 'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'